How durable is alcantara?

[spdrcrgtr]

I daily drive my M4 and I'm considering some alcantara goodies for the interior such as a new BMW electronic steering wheel, armrest, and e-brake handle.

I'm wondering how "durable" is the material. For example, will the steering wheel start showing its age within X miles?

Does anyone have any experience with this?

[Jbrown7403]

Originally Posted by spdrcrgtr

I daily drive my M4 and I'm considering some alcantara goodies for the interior such as a new BMW electronic steering wheel, armrest, and e-brake handle.

I'm wondering how "durable" is the material. For example, will the steering wheel start showing its age within X miles?

Does anyone have any experience with this?

I find it to be very durable with a good Sonax cleaning every few months.

[swagon]

Originally Posted by spdrcrgtr

I daily drive my M4 and I'm considering some alcantara goodies for the interior such as a new BMW electronic steering wheel, armrest, and e-brake handle.

I'm wondering how "durable" is the material. For example, will the steering wheel start showing its age within X miles?

Does anyone have any experience with this?

Have had OE BMW Alcantara steering wheels since 2015. Don't drive with cheeseburgers in hand, clean every few months (or buy driving gloves) with damp microfibre towel.

Will be almost like new for many years ahead.

[spdrcrgtr]

Originally Posted by Jbrown7403

I find it to be very durable with a good Sonax cleaning every few months.

Which Sonax solution do you use?

[JagR2611]

Sonax - https://www.obsessedgarage.com/colle...lstery-cleaner


I have a love / hate relationship with alcantara but agree…take care of it & it will take care of you.

[Jbrown7403]

Originally Posted by spdrcrgtr

Which Sonax solution do you use?

I use this one …

[White340]

Originally Posted by Jbrown7403

I use this one …

Does this have a funky smell to it? I used something before which I think was sonax that smelled odd for weeks.

[Jbrown7403]

Originally Posted by White340

Does this have a funky smell to it? I used something before which I think was sonax that smelled odd for weeks.

The first time it seemed to have a faint smell but it was gone in a day. Not a bad smell though. I’ve been using it periodically on my alcantara center armrest and the steering wheel for about 2 years and they both look brand new.

[mike@x-ph.com]

its not as durable as other options for sure.

We have 2 cars with upgraded steering wheels. the perforated leather still looks brand new, the Alcantara one is ready to be replaced

[spdrcrgtr]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

its not as durable as other options for sure.

We have 2 cars with upgraded steering wheels. the perforated leather still looks brand new, the Alcantara one is ready to be replaced

Mike, the Alcantara one, is that a BMW OEM or aftermarket? Also how long have you been using it?

Thanks

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by spdrcrgtr

Mike, the Alcantara one, is that a BMW OEM or aftermarket? Also how long have you been using it?

Thanks

2 years for both.

Aftermarket but i have seen the same happen to the OE ones.

[Kurtosis1]

Alcantara (soft synthetic leather) is not as durable as real smooth leather. Alcantara has a suede like feel which is great but breaks down due to friction, oil and crud from your hands. Wearing gloves only eliminates the oil part (possibly the crud part depending on clean you keep your gloves), but you still wear it down.

This article on Science Direct deep dives.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/scienc...45694371500082

I have the factory steering wheel and wear leather finger-less gloves to keep the leather from getting gross due to sweat or oils.

I also clean the wheel with TriNova leather cleaner to restore the factory matte look.

[fortythirtyfive]

A dedicated tooth brush and foam based alcantara cleaner will be your best friend here.

Those who don't keep their wheels clean every 2-3 months will end up with that flat/satin sheen that you see on heavily soiled alcantatra products. Even just dry brushing with a tooth brush for 1-2 minutes per month will help remove dust and dead skin particles.

Personally I use the BMW alcantara foam cleaner as it's a little less powerful compared to Sonax, in fact I believe when Sonax first released it they had a case submitted against them for damages. Although the BMW stuff is most likely just rebottled and branded it has less of the soap smell to it.

FWIW I have daily used alcantara products that are over 3 years old and still look fresh

[NYG]

It's solid but for steering wheels, it will wear fast even with lots of maintenance... Unless you drive with gloves of course.

But steering wheels will always show wear, even leather will tend to get glossy/slick on areas where you make the most contact with it. Even if your hands are completely clean - sweat and natural oils will wear it away.

Alcantara wheels feel a lot better and much easier to grip for track use. Even with gloves leather isn't quite as good.

[FrankMstein]

Why, what are you planning on going to it/with it?

[dizz81]

I was debating the same thing as OP.

I would love to get matching M stitching for the e-brake and shifter but the only one I can find is alcantara. So I'm also curious how long it'll last for those two areas.

But then I feel like it's going to throw off the whole flow of the interior....

[FrankMstein]

Come on man, you know you want one...

[Schultz28]

Originally Posted by Jbrown7403

I use this one …

Saw this thread and tried the Sonax alcantara cleaner. Works great! The alcantara looks brand new again.

BUT.... DO NOT get this cleaner on the leather stripe, I just learned the hard way, it removed the color on the stripe.

[M 4 FUN]

I have all the M performance alcantara plus GTS seats and everything still looks like new after three years. I don't use any special alcantara foam cleaner or anything, i just use warm water and dish washer fluid together with a soft nail brush and a towel.

[hellokitty]

I just wear driving gloves. 4 years later, it still looks brand new. Sweat and oil from your hands is what kills the look and feel unless you use Sonax alcantara on a regular basis.